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At United Utilities, we're investing in a better future for our rivers, communities, and environment through one of the largest and most exciting infrastructure programmes in the country. We're looking for a talented Cost Manager to join our Better Rivers PMO Team, supporting the successful delivery of projects across the Lancashire region.
This is a highly visible role where you'll work in partnership with Project Managers, delivery teams, and project controls specialists to provide robust cost management, assurance, and forecasting across a diverse portfolio of projects. You'll play a key role in project decision-making, ensuring investment is accurately planned, controlled, and delivered efficiently, whilst providing the insight and challenge needed to drive successful outcomes.
This is a hybrid role, offering the flexibility of working from home alongside regular time spent at our Preston Hub and United Utilities Headquarters in Warrington. You'll build strong relationships with stakeholders across project delivery teams, provide valuable cost insight, challenge assumptions and estimates where required, and collaborate with a wider PMO and cost management community. As a result, a full UK driving license is essential.
What You'll Be Doing
- Partner with Risk, Planning, and Project Controls colleagues to drive successful project delivery and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage project costs and budgets, ensuring alignment with project structures while providing clear analysis of performance, trends, and variances.
- Support Project Managers and delivery teams with effective cost control, including the management of commitments, journals, accruals, and forecasts.
- Provide robust cost assurance through the review and constructive challenge of estimates, trends, and change impacts, ensuring strong financial control and data integrity.
- Assess the impact of project changes and ensure approved updates are reflected accurately within project baselines.
- Produce and review Earned Value Management reporting, identifying performance trends and delivering meaningful insights that support effective decision-making.
- Maintain accurate cost, budget, and forecast reporting, applying strong attention to detail while tracking performance against approved project baselines.
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What We're Looking For
- Degree qualified in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience, with proven experience in Cost Management, Project Controls, or Programme Delivery and a strong understanding of cost management methodologies and systems.
- Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and provide meaningful insights that support project performance and decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence and credibility to build relationships, influence outcomes, and constructively challenge assumptions, estimates, and data where required.
- A proactive, organized, and methodical approach, with the ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, think independently, and maintain exceptional attention to detail.
- Knowledge of Primavera P6, SAP, and project controls tools would be highly advantageous, alongside MAPM, ACostE, or equivalent Project Management or Project Controls qualifications.
- A full UK driving license is essential, as the role requires regular travel between Preston and Lingley Mere, Warrington.
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Why This Role
This is an opportunity to play a key role in a major environmental programme that will leave a lasting legacy across the North West. You'll influence significant investment decisions, work alongside experienced project professionals, and contribute directly to the successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects that make a real difference to customers and communities.
Benefits:
- 26 days annual leave rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays
- Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution and life cover
- Performance-related bonus of up to 7.5% plus recognition awards
- Company-funded healthcare plan and wellbeing support including mental health resources and Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to discounts, gym savings, and flexible benefits through MORE Choices
- Financial wellbeing support including Salary Finance and Wealth at Work
- Electric vehicle scheme and ShareBuy options
- Enhanced parental leave
If you're an experienced Cost Manager, Project Controls professional, or cost-focused project specialist looking for a role where you can challenge, influence, and add real value, we'd love to hear from you.
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